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Adhesive force of a single gecko foot-hair

Author

Listed:
  • Kellar Autumn

    (Lewis and Clark College)

  • Yiching A. Liang

    (Stanford University)

  • S. Tonia Hsieh

    (University of California at Berkeley)

  • Wolfgang Zesch

    (University of California at Berkeley)

  • Wai Pang Chan

    (University of California at Berkeley)

  • Thomas W. Kenny

    (Stanford University)

  • Ronald Fearing

    (University of California at Berkeley)

  • Robert J. Full

    (University of California at Berkeley)

Abstract

Geckos are exceptional in their ability to climb rapidly up smooth vertical surfaces1,2,3. Microscopy has shown that a gecko's foot has nearly five hundred thousand keratinous hairs or setae. Each 30–130 µm long seta is only one-tenth the diameter of a human hair and contains hundreds of projections terminating in 0.2–0.5 µm spatula-shaped structures2,4. After nearly a century of anatomical description2,4,5,6, here we report the first direct measurements of single setal force by using a two-dimensional micro-electro-mechanical systems force sensor7 and a wire as a force gauge. Measurements revealed that a seta is ten times more effective at adhesion than predicted from maximal estimates on whole animals. Adhesive force values support the hypothesis that individual seta operate by van der Waals forces8,9. The gecko's peculiar behaviour of toe uncurling and peeling2 led us to discover two aspects of setal function which increase their effectiveness. A unique macroscopic orientation and preloading of the seta increased attachment force 600-fold above that of frictional measurements of the material. Suitably orientated setae reduced the forces necessary to peel the toe by simply detaching above a critical angle with the substratum.

Suggested Citation

  • Kellar Autumn & Yiching A. Liang & S. Tonia Hsieh & Wolfgang Zesch & Wai Pang Chan & Thomas W. Kenny & Ronald Fearing & Robert J. Full, 2000. "Adhesive force of a single gecko foot-hair," Nature, Nature, vol. 405(6787), pages 681-685, June.
    • Handle: RePEc:nat:nature:v:405:y:2000:i:6787:d:10.1038_35015073
    DOI: 10.1038/35015073
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    Citations

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    Cited by:

    1. Hongmiao Tian & Duorui Wang & Yahui Zhang & Yuanze Jiang & Tianci Liu & Xiangming Li & Chunhui Wang & Xiaoliang Chen & Jinyou Shao, 2022. "Core–shell dry adhesives for rough surfaces via electrically responsive self-growing strategy," Nature Communications, Nature, vol. 13(1), pages 1-12, December.
    2. Roger A. Sauer, 2009. "Multiscale modelling and simulation of the deformation and adhesion of a single gecko seta," Computer Methods in Biomechanics and Biomedical Engineering, Taylor & Francis Journals, vol. 12(6), pages 627-640.
    3. John P. Ulhøi, 2021. "From innovation-as-usual towards unusual innovation: using nature as an inspiration," Journal of Innovation and Entrepreneurship, Springer, vol. 10(1), pages 1-21, December.
    4. Roger A. Sauer & Matthias Holl, 2013. "A detailed 3D finite element analysis of the peeling behaviour of a gecko spatula," Computer Methods in Biomechanics and Biomedical Engineering, Taylor & Francis Journals, vol. 16(6), pages 577-591, June.
    5. Armand Hatchuel & Camila Freitas Salgueiredo, 2016. "Beyond analogy: A model of bioinspiration for creative design," Post-Print hal-01396212, HAL.
    6. Ongolo, Symphorien, 2015. "On the banality of forest governance fragmentation: Exploring ‘‘gecko politics’’ as a bureaucratic behaviour in limited statehood," Forest Policy and Economics, Elsevier, vol. 53(C), pages 12-20.
    7. Jennifer Fewell, 2015. "Social Biomimicry: what do ants and bees tell us about organization in the natural world?," Journal of Bioeconomics, Springer, vol. 17(3), pages 207-216, October.
    8. Tuo Deng & Dongxiu Gao & Xuemei Song & Zhipeng Zhou & Lixiao Zhou & Maixian Tao & Zexiu Jiang & Lian Yang & Lan Luo & Ankun Zhou & Lin Hu & Hongbo Qin & Mingyi Wu, 2023. "A natural biological adhesive from snail mucus for wound repair," Nature Communications, Nature, vol. 14(1), pages 1-18, December.

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